This law would provide funding to communities
impacted by a university’s presence

City Council Testimony – September 12,
2012

Working Points

What communities in Pittsburgh are most impacted
by a university’s
presence in or near their community?

The communities of Oakland, South
Side, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and Bloomfield are most impacted because
of the presence of universities in or near their communities.

How are
communities affected by a university’s presence?

1) There is a
tremendous burden placed upon long-time residents which includes having
to deal with binge drinking problems, including illegal alcohol sales
conducted by students in the community.

2) Inordinate litter and trash
problems

3) Long-time residents experience disrespect, intimidation,
and fear of retaliation by students after reporting problems to the police.

4) The mental health of long-time residents is endangered
because of living with the anxiety and stress caused by the actions of
disorderly students, especially during the late night hours when such
residents are awakened from their sleep by the noise from student drinking
parties.

5) Traffic problems

6) Parking problems

7) Universities
purchase large pieces of property in the community for their own use
without benefit to the community.

8) Long-time resident population decreases
as student population increases, thereby changing the character of the
community.

What universities in Pittsburgh most impact a community?

Approximate number of full-time undergraduate and graduate
students

University of Pittsburgh 24,600

Carnegie Mellon University
10,900

Duquesne University 9,300

Point Park University 2,600

Chatham
University 2,200

Carlow University 1,700

Why is such a law necessary?

This law is necessary:

1) To
ease the hardship of those long-time residents affected by the presence
of a university in or near their community.

2) Because university administrators
have a responsibility and moral obligation to address the special challenges
of long-time residents who are affected by the presence of the university.

3) Because communities cannot force university administrators
to provide adequate funding to resolve community problems caused by a
university’s
presence.

4) When university administrators do not adequately provide
for a safe and clean environment for long-time residents in their community.

5) When university administrators are consciously indifferent
to satisfying the needs of a community which is impacted by the presence
of their university.

6) To compel university administrators to provide
general aid to a community for resolving those problems caused by a university’s presence.

What are the criteria to determine if a university falls
under this law?

(Two criteria are sufficient)

A university has an enrollment
of more than 1,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students, excluding
online students.

A university has ownership of more than 10 buildings
within a community.

A university has more than 200 students living within
a residential community.

A university’s main campus lies within the
city of Pittsburgh.

What amount of funding must a university provide
for a community?

$20 for each full-time undergraduate and graduate student
enrolled at the university.

Who receives the money allocated from a university?

The funding would be earmarked “restricted” and
would go to one umbrella charity organization such as the United Way
or The Pittsburgh Foundation which would dispense the funds to the communities.
All residential organizations within a community will be eligible to
receive the funding.

What are
a few of the projects that a community can employ with its university
impact aid money?

1) Funding for a daily maintenance litter program.

2) Funding for a full-time city environmental enforcement
officer.

3) Funding for workers to patrol a community Thursday through
Sunday from 9pm to 1am who would report drinking problems to the police,
thus removing the burden and danger for long-time residents of having
to face retaliation from students for reporting such problems.

4) Funding
for beautification projects.

5) Funding for staff workers of residential
organizations to carry out the solutions for resolving the problems caused
by the impact of a university’s presence in or near their community.